HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/307

RRBs Get Freedom to Set NRE/NRO Deposit Rates

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/307 · issued 19 Dec 2011 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has deregulated interest rates on NRE and NRO deposits for RRBs, allowing them to set their own rates on savings and term deposits (1 year+) effective immediately, provided these rates do not exceed comparable domestic rupee deposit rates.

What changed

RRBs can now freely determine interest rates on NRE savings and term deposits (1 year+) and NRO savings deposits, removing earlier caps. However, these rates must not be higher than rates on comparable domestic rupee deposits. Prior board or ALCO approval is required, and uniform rates must apply across all branches.

What it means for you

This gives RRBs greater flexibility to compete for non-resident deposits by adjusting rates based on market conditions. Banks must ensure they do not offer NRE/NRO rates above domestic rates to avoid arbitrage. Closer monitoring of external liabilities and asset-liability compatibility is essential to manage systemic risk.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), NRE and NRO depositors, RRB asset-liability management teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Can RRBs offer higher NRE rates than domestic rates?

No, NRE and NRO deposit rates cannot exceed rates on comparable domestic rupee deposits offered by the same RRB.

Do these new rates apply to existing deposits?

No, the revised rates apply only to fresh deposits and upon renewal of maturing deposits.

What approvals are needed before setting these rates?

RRBs must obtain prior approval from their Board or Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated) before fixing interest rates on NRE/NRO deposits.

📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Partially modified by RRBs Freed to Set NRE Deposit Rates for 3+ Year Tenors
RBI’s words: “in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.44/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 dated December 19, 2011”
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1394: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.45/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 — "Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Acc”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/307 RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.45  /03.05.33 (C) /2011-12 December 19, 2011 The Chairmen All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Dear Sir, Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts Please refer to paragraph 4 of our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 33/03.05.33/2011-12 dated November 23, 2011 on Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate and paragraph 1 of our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 36/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 dated November 24, 2011 on Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR (B) Deposits. 2. With a view to providing greater flexibility to RRBs in mobilising non-resident deposits and also in view of the prevailing market conditions, it has been decided to deregulate interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts (the interest rates on term deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts are already deregulated). Accordingly, RRBs are free to determine their interest rates on both savings deposits and term deposits of maturity of one year and above under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit accounts and savings deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts with immediate effect. However, interest rates offered by RRBs on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. 3. Prior approval of the Board/Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated by the Board) may be obtained by an RRB while fixing interest rates on such deposits. At any point of time, individual banks should offer uniform rates at all their branches. 4. The revised deposit rates will apply only to fresh deposits and on renewal of maturing deposits. Further, RRBs should closely monitor their external liability arising on account of such deregulation and ensure asset-liability compatibility from systemic risk point of view. 5. An amending directive RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.Dir.No. 44 /03.05.33 dated December 19, 2011 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (C. D. Srinivasan) Chief General Manager Encl: As above RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.44 /03.05.33 (C) /2011-12 December 19, 2011 Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RRB.BC. Dir.No. 27 /03.05.33 / 2011-12 dated October 25, 2011 on Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate and RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.35/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 dated November 24, 2011 on Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR(B) Deposits, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are free to determine their interest rates on both savings deposits and term deposits of maturity of one year and above under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit accounts and savings deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts with immediate effect. However, interest rates offered by RRBs on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. (V. K. Sharma) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/307 · issued 19 Dec 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6883&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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